Are you pregnant and having that "OMG I have no idea what I'm doing" feeling? Well, what can we say?... welcome to the squad. For all of the classes, books, videos, etc., there still seems to be so much that we just don't know!
Let's talk about some of the things that moms who have been there have said they wish they knew about during their first pregnancy. And whether you're a first-time mom or not, these tips could be just the thing you need to hear in order to make your journey even a bit easier and that much more enjoyable! So let's dive in!
#1. The importance of staying fit
"My mindset was that I had the perfect excuse not to hit the gym when I should have stayed moving - at any capacity. It would have helped me so much down the line physically , but also would have been so much better for my mental health."
Staying fit during your pregnancy doesn't necessarily mean you need to be slogging it out at the gym, but making sure you're getting adequate exercise can make a huge difference when it comes to your energy levels, aches and pains, and most importantly, your mental health..
If you want to be active, miss being active, need a mental release and want to do it all in a safe(and totally stylish) way, then you’d love our Rumbly exclusive ankle weights that we include in our Month 5 Subscription Box! Just strap them on and add a little “extra” to your steps!
#2. Don't go wild buying stuff
"I thought I needed so many maternity clothes - like for all occasions and seasons, when in reality, I ended up wearing about the same few things in rotation! Comfort was most important"
Ugh, we have been there. It can be so tempting to go wild, especially in the early days of pregnancy when everything feels like a bit of an unknown. But trust us – there's no need to spend all the money you've saved up for maternity clothes straight away because you might not even get much wear out of them.
Instead, check out our Pinterest board for tips on how to make your existing wardrobe work for you during your pregnancy.
And of course, if you do need a few items to wear, for here and there, go for it! You deserve to feel special, and sometimes a new outfit (especially one that feels great in your shape-shifting body) is all it takes to make that feeling happen.Â
#3. You are going to feel uncomfortable
“Pregnancy is really, really uncomfortable. Especially at the end. It’s awful. TV never seems to mention that. I was surprised how hard and uncomfortable it was.”
Yup. Pregnancy is no fairy tale, and you are likely to experience some degree of discomfort at various stages. Sleep gets harder the bigger you get (and the further along in your pregnancy you are), and let's not forget the dreaded heartburn and indigestion that so many women encounter.
Like all things - this feeling won't last forever. There are things you can do to help, like wearing looser clothing, exercising (when it's safe to do so), eating more small meals throughout the day and trying massage or acupuncture. But largely, you're just going to have to get through it. Just give yourself a ton of grace (please!) while you do!
#4. Stop Googling!
"The number of times that I went down the Google rabbit hole...I really wish I hadn't as much. It caused me so much more worry and fear, and all for nothing more than that. I wish I just listened to my gut more."
Especially with your first pregnancy, there are so many unknowns, and it's so easy to get overwhelmed by all the information out there. But here's the problem with Dr. Google: it can be hard to tell which advice is legitimate, and the last thing you need is to scare yourself with false information.
So instead of spending hours on Google research, try talking to your obstetrician, midwife or other professional in your circle of support. That way, you get trusted, personal advice from people who are familiar with you and your unique pregnancy journey. (You can also always drop us a line in our DMs if you are looking for some insightful and unsolicited advice).Â
#5. Drink more water
"I didn't realize how dehydrated I was until my OB said something. Most of the symptoms I experienced wouldn’t have been quite so bad if I just drank more water."
Staying hydrated is essential during pregnancy, especially as your body needs more water than usual to support the baby and you. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and if you find it hard to drink just water, try adding some fruits or herbs for flavour.
And truth be told, water really does help most things - from constipation to nausea to fatigue - do your best to make sure you drink those fluids! (And while you’re at it, you might as well do it in style with a tumbler that motivates you to sip all day. Check out our Rumbly Exclusive Designer Studded Tumbler, available in our Modern Mom-To-Be box. This mom-to-be favourite is consistently one of our best sellers!).
#6. Don't get caught up in what is "supposed" to happen
"Not all pregnancies are as glamorous as you see on TV and movies;and unfortunately they rarely go according to the masterplan you have mapped out in your mind or birth plan."
Don't get too caught up in what you think is "supposed" to happen. This is especially true as you get closer to your labour. So many of us planned natural deliveries and ended up with C-sections… or little miracles that came earlier than we thought.
It can be especially hard for us Type-A moms-to-be who are used to being in control, but in this case, there's only so much you can do. So focus instead on the endgame.he journey may not go the way you want it to go, but in the end you will still get that incredible prize - aka your little bundle of joy!
#7. Trust your gut
"It feels like every single person has the “best advice” to share, which is helpful a lot of the time, however you need to take every piece of it with a grain of salt. You will be the only one to know exactly what your baby truly needs."
This. This right here. We literally could not have said it better ourselves. Even the advice we offer you on the daily from rumbly is just that...advice. At the end of the day, you know you and the little person on the way better than anyone else does. Period. .
So please, trust your gut - you know what your body and baby truly need!
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Bonus: I wish I understood matrescence
We've talked about it before and feel it’s important to call it out here again. Matrescence is the incredible shift in identity, values and goals that often happens during pregnancy. Understanding that this change, and the feelings associated with it, are not just totally normal but that they are also expected would have really helped us get through this time with more understanding and forgiveness. .
That's what rumbly is all about. We are here to support both the woman you are today and the mom you are becoming. We are here because we are done with this baby-centric pregnancy culture and want to put you back into the centre of your pregnancy journey. We know that when moms are better supported and cared for, everyone wins.
If you're new around here, make sure you're following us on Instagram, where we promise to keep you up to date on all of the new and exciting things we are working on, but also so we can give you a big "OMG yes" as we talk about all things pregnancy and YOU!
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